OAC and Obesity PPM to launch long-term online educational initiative

In January 2012, the OAC and Obesity PPM will launch a long-term online educational initiative to increase understanding of the complexity of obesity and its many causes. The disease of obesity impacts individuals physically, emotionally, economically and socially. This initiative will look at various factors, both controllable and uncontrollable, impacting individuals affected by obesity.

Running throughout 2012 and 2013, the initiative will take a three-pronged approach: a 14-part series of publicly available webinars, articles addressing aspects of Obesity PPM's Twelve Pillars® model, and social media enriching the dialogue about each event topic. The first live online event will take place in late January 2012.

The Twelve Pillars® model describes the relationships between the two categories of factors that impact obesity: individual factors and population-level factors. The six individual factors are cognition, addiction, nutrition, endocrinology and metabolism, exercise and activity level, and sleep, stress and immunity. The six population level factors are the education system and parenting, workplace and business culture, community and lifestyle planning, food policy, production and delivery, healthcare policy and delivery, and financial instruments and funding.

Following the introductory event in January, each webinar will address one of the twelve factors from the individual and population levels and its relationship to the broader context of obesity, with the final event addressing the relationship between obesity, genetics, and the environmental triggering of gene expression. The webinars will feature guest speakers, or panels of speakers, providing the latest unbiased, up-to-date information on these topics.

By delivering these educational events at no cost to a broad audience, the OAC and Obesity PPM will advance their shared mission to reduce weight bias, social stigma, and discrimination. The content will be appropriate for all audiences seeking a broader understanding of obesity. Further, by presenting multiple perspectives on controversial topics, the OAC and Obesity PPM will bring to light the extent of scientific, clinical and social work that must be done to both develop effective obesity prevention strategies and improve access to treatment for those affected by obesity.

SOURCE Obesity Action Coalition